We are running a $3.44 million Mature-Age Apprentice Wage-Gap pilot program.
Early in 2021 we launched a pilot program to help offset the extra costs of hiring adult apprentices who bring the benefit of skills, experience and maturity to businesses.
The $3.44 million Mature-Age Wage Gap pilot program was created after consultation with industry, with feedback around the extra wage cost being a burden for construction industry businesses wanting to hire mature-age apprentices and trainees. It is just one of the ways the levy is contributing to delivering a job-ready, skilled WA construction industry workforce.
The funding, which reduces the gap between mature-age and junior rates applies to 150 apprentices over the age of 21, employed in 9 trades:
- Brick and block laying
- Carpentry/carpentry & joinery,
- Concreting
- Painting and decorating
- Plastering
- Plumbing & gas fitting,
- Roof plumbing,
- Wall and ceiling fixing
- Wall and floor tiling
Employers will save about $16,000 in the first year of a three-year apprenticeship and $23,000 over the term of the apprenticeship.

Last modified on: